Making and Changing Sounds (Pages 95–
122) – Key Notes
Pearson International Primary Science Year 4
1. What Is Sound?
Sound is a form of energy.
We hear sounds using our ears.
Sounds are produced by vibrations.
Key Word
Vibration – a quick back-and-forth movement.
2. How Are Sounds Made?
Sounds are made when an object vibrates.
Vibrations travel through materials to our ears.
Examples
Guitar strings vibrate.
Drum skins vibrate.
A ruler vibrates when flicked.
Vocal cords vibrate when we speak.
3. Sound Travels in Waves
Vibrations create sound waves.
Sound waves travel through materials called media.
Sound can travel through:
✅ Solids
✅ Liquids
✅ Gases
Example
Hearing a train through railway tracks.
Hearing underwater sounds.
4. Sound Cannot Travel Through Space
Sound needs a material to travel through.
Space is a vacuum.
Therefore, sound cannot travel through space.
5. How We Hear Sounds
Steps
1. An object vibrates.
2. Sound waves travel through the air.
3. Sound enters the ear.
4. The brain interprets the sound.
6. Loud and Quiet Sounds
Loud Sounds
Produced by strong vibrations.
Large vibrations create louder sounds.
Examples:
Drum
Thunder
Fireworks
Quiet Sounds
Produced by small vibrations.
Examples:
Whisper
Rustling leaves
7. High and Low Sounds (Pitch)
Pitch
Pitch describes how high or low a sound is.
High Pitch
Examples:
Bird chirping
Whistle
Low Pitch
Examples:
Drum
Lion's roar
8. Changing Pitch
Pitch can be changed by changing vibrations.
Faster Vibrations
Higher pitch
Slower Vibrations
Lower pitch
Example
Short guitar strings make higher sounds.
Long guitar strings make lower sounds.
9. Changing Loudness
Loudness depends on the size of vibrations.
Larger Vibrations
Louder sound
Smaller Vibrations
Quieter sound
Example
Hitting a drum harder makes a louder sound.
10. Musical Instruments
String Instruments
Examples:
Guitar
Violin
Harp
Sound comes from vibrating strings.
Wind Instruments
Examples:
Flute
Recorder
Trumpet
Sound comes from vibrating air.
Percussion Instruments
Examples:
Drum
Tambourine
Xylophone
Sound comes from hitting or shaking.
11. Investigating Sound
Scientists can investigate:
Which objects make sound.
Which materials transmit sound best.
How pitch changes.
How loudness changes.
12. Fair Testing
A fair test:
Changes only one variable.
Keeps everything else the same.
Example
Testing which material carries sound best:
Use same sound source.
Use same distance.
Change only the material.
13. Sound and Distance
Sound becomes quieter as distance increases.
Sound is louder when the source is closer.
Example
A bell sounds louder nearby than far away.
14. Protecting Our Hearing
Very loud sounds can damage hearing.
Ways to Protect Hearing
✅ Lower the volume
✅ Wear ear protection
✅ Move away from loud sounds
15. Everyday Uses of Sound
Communication
Talking
Telephones
Entertainment
Music
Television
Warnings
Alarms
Sirens
School bells
Key Vocabulary
Word Meaning
Sound Energy we hear
Vibration Back-and-forth movement
Sound wave Wave carrying sound
Pitch How high or low a sound is
Loudness How loud or quiet a sound is
Volume Measure of loudness
String instrument Instrument with vibrating strings
Wind instrument Instrument with vibrating air
Percussion instrument Instrument hit or shaken
Medium Material through which sound travels